Vehicle-spring.



P. M. PREER. VEHICLE SPRING. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31, 19'11.

r mw w.. ha Ln@ J D.

y E JTM# ,I www Il i A, 3 J. A m, J6 D l 1 W6# P. M. FREER. VEHICLESPRING.

A .APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 31, 1911.

.i c3@ C Iatented Feb. 4, 1913.

3 SHEETS-'SHEET 2.

P. M. PREER.

` VEHICLE SPRING.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR, 31, 191'1.

1,052,233. Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

treit, in the county of Vtlayne and rica.

. nannies M. Fianna, er namen, MICHIGAN.

VEHICLE-sentite. A

,particularly to springs for automobiles or i -.like vehicles in whichit is now customary to` intcrpose the springs between the axles and thechassis or vehicle body where they serve not only' to carry the load butalso have driving functions, the axles not being` directly connected toeach ot-her by any special reach frame or runningV gear for the directtransmission of driving power from one to the other.

The principal objects of the invention are, first, to' pnovide'springsdivided into sections which are'ilb arranged to go into actionsuccessively under increasing loads so as to secure uniformity ot'resilience ot the spring, as a whole, under varying loads; second, toconnect the ends of the spring sections to tront and rear hangers insuch manner that, as they go into action successively, compensation ismade for the lengthening' of the chords ot' those sections in action astheir ends are depressedA and the curvature ot their arcs reduced towardtiattening without producing' conflictingr strains between the severalsections through unequal elon ,Q'ation or irregular relative action:third, to so arrange and proportion the several parts that'. as thc loadis increased the increase is taken up by the sections newly going intoaction and does not materially add to the load on thosc sections alreadyin action,nor materially increase their tlexure; fourth. to preserve theconstancy of the driving effect of all the sections ot' the springregardless ot' the load or tiexure condition of any of them: and tit'th.to'so arrange the parts that upon any sudden jolting ot thev vehicle ordecrease ot the load each of the several sec tions in action willexercise a restraining' cttect upon the others which will check swift'.retiex action ot the spring' as a whole and compel its gradual returntoward normal conditions. Theseand such other objects as may hereinafterappear in this speciication and the appended claims maybe carried into.ettect by the constructions illus` Specification of 'Letters Yaten't.

Patented Feb. al, i913.

`applicationinea March si, 1911. serial no. 618,249.

trated in the accompanying drawings which show present preferred formsof springs, connections, etc., and some modification thereof.

Figure l is a side elevation'otl a preferred form of spring and thehangers connecting itto the chassis or' an automobile, this constructionheii'ig'particularly adapted tor the front axle of the vehicle which isshown clamp-connected at mid length of the spring.

ln this figure the spring,r sections are shown in the positions assumedunder the normal load of the chassis and parts mounted thereern-thelower section only of the spring being in action under load. Fig 2 isasimilar view ot' the saine parts in the positions assumed when thesecond lowest section is brought into action under load. Figs. 3 and 4are similar views ofthe same parts when the third and the fourth or topsections are respectively brought into action. Fig. 5 illustrates aseries ot spring sections grouped as betere but having' the lamina otrthe upper-section spring reversed in order thaty this section may .actin opposition to the otihe s to check too quick reactions in them. Figs6 is an enlarged view ot the preferred torni of front hanger. F igs. 7,8, 9 and 10 illustrate on the same scale asFig. G several modificationsof the front hanger with the spring' ends attached to rocking sidelinksl or yokes which are pivotally mounted in the rigid front hanger;Fig. l0

being a section onthe line 10, l0 of Fig. 9..

Fig'. ll illustrates a spring composed of sections, as before, withmodifica-tions in the forms of the slots in the rear hanger. Fig. 1'2shows a modification of the grouping4 of the slots in the rear hangeradapted t-o per-y mit of the closer spacing` of the main leaves of thesprings ot' the several sections.

ln the constructions shown, particularly in Figs. 1 to 4. inclusive, Ais one of the side bars of the chassis frame of an automobile, B thefront axle thereof and C the 100 spring'. scoured as usual by clampingrat its mid length to the axle, and at its 'front and rear endrespectively to hangers l) and E depending `tron1 the chassis frame. The

front `|hanger D is preferably rigidly se- 105 cated respectively byreference characters 11o the spring ends lie between pairs of hangers.

as Will be readily understood.

In Fig. -1 the parts are shown in normal position, supposedly thatV inwhich the normal load consisting of the chassis With its usual fixturesand mountings is being carl ried by spring section C, the lowest of theseries of sections. The hanger aperture d for the pin c of vthis springclosely embraces the pin which, having no space for free movement in theaperture, must follow the movements of the hanger.y The next slot d2,above, is slightly elongated and preferably inclined, or curved'concentrically about an axial point near the center and top of springC2. In Fig. l the pin c2 of this spring rests in the lower end of slotZ2 and there remains neutral until the load has increased beyond thesustaining power of spring C. Then the hanger is depressed and the pinc2 engages the upper end of slot Z2 and the spring becomes an activeparticipant in carrying the load. This first load depression of thehanger drops the lower'end of slot (Z3 away from the pin c3 of springC12-the said `pin at a certain stage of this first loading standing ator near the middle of the slot d3, as shown in Fig. 2. The springsection C4 is preferably, though not necessarily, so constructed as toact retlexly, at first, in opposition to the other sections, for thepurpose of 40 preventing excessive rebound when the spring as a Whole isunder light load. The dotted lines in Fig. l show its normal freeposition, the spring exerting a downward pressure on its pin c4 in thebottom of the slot d* under v the load conditions of this figure NOW,when the load is increased .to bring spring C2 into action thedepression of the hanger D permits the pin c* to move down with thehanger, toits normal position (Fig. 2), in which the spring is strictlyneutral except perhaps that it may operate to check excessive retlexionof those other sections C and C2 yin active service. On further loading,say to bring spring C3 into action, the

5.5 hanger D is further depressed until the pin f3 lies at the top ofthe slot da and assumes a portion. of the increasing load. The pin t onthe spring C4 also at this moment lies near the top of its slot Z4 butthe spring ai still remains neutral. This situation is .shown in Fig. 3.On still further loading the pin c4 of the spring C4 goes into activeservice and assumes its proportion of the increased load; this conditionbeing shown in i `i,-where all of the pins c', c2, c3 and c4 are at thetops of their respective rl slots in the front hanger D and are allbearing load. It will be observed that all of the slots are sopositioned and shaped as to stand practically at right angles to thelines of thrust or pull of the respective springs and that the drivingfunction of the springs in their connection with the hanger remainspractically constant through all changes of relative elevation that .maybe caused by variation in the loading or by the vertical vibrationscaused by passing over rough road'- Ways. The front hanger D ispreferably fixed or rigidly connected to the chassis frame but undersome conditions of service it may be desirable to have the springsuspension or connection of such a nature as will admit of the springsautomatically adjusting themselves to avoid unequal. strains due to thelengthening of the chords of their arcs when Vtheir ends are irregularlydepressed and straightened out under loading. To effect this end severalmodifications of the front hanger that most readily now suggestthemselvcs are shown in F igs.7, 8, 9 and l0.

In Fig. 7 side yolres F are pivotally mounted at F in the lower ends ofthe hangers D and, projecting awayl from the hanger, support linkbars`F2 and F3 on integral stud-pin pivots f5 and f, the inner faces ofthe link bars having grooves or recesses f', f2 and f3, f4,respectively, in which the pins c', c2, c3 and adapted to operate in themanner just described fo-r the slots d', cl2, 07,3 and (Z4 of the hangerD.

In Fig. 8 the yoke F is pivotally mounted as at vF to the hanger D andis provided with slots, grooves or recesses f', f2, f3 and f4 which areengaged by the pins c', c2, c and c4 of the springs in same manner asare the slots d, etc., of the hanger D, as will, doubtless, be readilyunderstood Without more extended description.

Figs. 9 and l0 sho a construction in which link bars F2 'and F3 arepivoted on integra-l stud pins fs and 7" directly to the hanger, therebyomitting theside'yokes F shown in Fig. 7. These links are recessed orgro-oved as at. f, f2 and f3, f* respectively for engagement with thespring pins c, etc., as described in connection with Fig. 7.

These few modifications indicate the Wide range of changes that may bemade Within .the scope of this invention in suspending the front or thedriving ends of the spring sections to a rigid hanger that will take andwithstand the driving pull o-r thrust of the spring sections.

In the-rear hangers and the spring connectionsthereto, conditionsdiifcrent from those of the front hangers are to be met and providedfor. The rear hangers E are suspended from pivotal connections E withthe 0L are engaged andl let() upward chassis frame A in order to providefor the lengthening of the springs, as their 1ends are depressed andstraightened under loads, by swinging the lower free end of thehanger.away from the axle. These hangers E are a'tpertured'7 slotted or grooyedas at c, e2, e3 and et to receive the pins a, a2, c" and a4 at the rearends of the respective spring sections. lviuch importance lies in theformation and relative positions of these slots. f It is desirable thatthe swinging' movementsof the hangers be caused and controlled by thelengthening moveinents of the springs as they'respectively go intoloadaction, and that the movements' of the springs he also controlled.in a manner, by the hangers, .to prevent too sudden reflex action lvofthe springs when suddenly relieved of the load. Bothl of these resultsmay be obtained, in varying; degrees, through the shapes and positionsof the slots. In Fig. l the pin a of the lower spring lies, normally, inthe outer or rear end the lower slot c' of the hanger ll. lli-om thispoint the slot extends forwardly with an inclination, and is,preferably, curved eccentrically to the axis lil of the hanger, its lineof curvature lying' inside of a concentric line c drawn from thc lowerend of the slot as shown. Asa result of this, 'the pin fr', underincreased loads on the vehicle and the further depressions and swingingmovements of the hanger. remains in substantiallv .the same plane ofelevation without material increase of flcxure or the assumption ofmaterial increase of its load. ln this `construction (Il l to 4) thesecond slot c2 is formed with a sliQht. rise at its outer end whichmerges at lop in a forwardly extending portion which is eccentricallycurved to correspond. with the curvature of slot e. The rising portionof the slot inc lines forwardly and may be slightly curved about anaxial point at the mid length of the spring' and just above its top. Thepin a2 normally lies inactive at thc bottom of this rising part of theslot, but under increased loading the hanger is depressed until the pincontacts with the top wall at the junction of thc two portions of thcslot. und then under further increased load the spring; end isdepressed, straightened out and lengthened. This lengthening' of thespring' forces the pin c2 against the rear wall of the slot, at t-hcjunction, and forces the hanger to swing rearwardly on its pivot pin E.New, as the hanger thus moves rearwardly the lowerslot c moves over thepin a which passes into a higher portion of the slot that compensatesfor the depression of the hanger and practically leaves the pin a at itsnormal elevation above the ground without in creasing its load or thedegree of its tiexure. Slot e3 is formed lilac slot c2 excepting thatlts ,Perser .its rewards extended, 'eccentric portion shorter `than in@2- Whey the rin a2 is in active Washing position against the upper wallof its slot v"e2 the pin u has moved away from the bottom of its slotbut is still out of contact with the top wall thereof (as in Fig. 2). aOn la further increase of .the load the pin ,a3 goes into action in thesaine manner las d'id pin a2 just described,vcontacting with the upperand outer walls of the slotI c and through this last mentioned Contactswinging the lhaxieer still farther rearward on its pivot. This actionof the hanger moves the pins a and e2 still farther into or along theirslots and, owing" to the upward inclination of these slots, the pinsretain substantially their normal elevation. As to spring section (1*.its pin and slot, it will be observed that the slot e* is upright forits entire length .and that normally the pin a* lies against its lowerend. As before stated this'spring is preferably set in'opposition tothose loe-lop7 it so that in thc normal positions shown in Fig'. 1 thepin c" is exerting downward pressure on the lower end of the slot in thehanger. ln loading, however, the first effect of the depression of thehanger which brings sprintY (l2 into load action is to perniit the pinc" to sink with the hanger to a position where, while the pin is stillin contact with thc bottom of the slot (as in Fig. 2), the spring hasbecome neutral and lexerts no force either up, down or cndwisc. On thesecond increase of load above described the further depression of thehanger will locate lthe pin c* abo-ut vmidway of its slot (as in Fig.3). .the spring' C4 being still neutral. 0n the third increase of loadthe further depression of the hanger brings the pin a4 into engagementwith the upper end of the slot c* (as in Fig. 4), and in position toassume its proportion of any further increase of the load .that may behad. 0n the assumption of load by this spring C4 it. like the .othersprecedingr it into action, straightens and its pin pushes against therear side of the slot, swinging' the hanger still farther backward ,onits pivot. thereby moving' the Aother pins a', a: and a still fartherforward in their respective slots, against the top sides of which theyarc all bearing to sustain their loads.

On the rcvcrsc or unloading process, no maltcr how suddenly effected,the several springsections cannot snap back to their normal positions.spring C* must first relax and bend sufficiently to have its pin u? drawthe hanger baclt to a point where the pin a* of the next spring maybecome engaged with the frontside of the vertical portion of its slot.c3; this in turn continues the .swinging movement of the hanger untilthe ,pin a2 can similarly engage the front side of the .verlticalportion of its slot c2 and draw the v:In this reverse action 'i hangerhack to a point where all the elements may resume their original normalpositions. rI'his successive step hy step action therefore prevents thefreeing of all of the spring sections simultaneously and they cannottherefore all snap back together, but must return to thcir normalposition. in the order in which they left them.

This arrangement of parts and order of operation symmetrical and orderlybut need not ot necessity be followed with exactitude, for some of thedetails might be changed and the order of the spring sections going intoaction altered at pleasure or to adaptthe mechanisn'i to any set ofconditions (littering from those for which this was specially devised.

In the modication shown by Fig. 1l the slots m', m2, m3 and m4 in therear hanger F. have their forwardly extending portions inuch lessinclined than those of Figs. 1 to 4. These portions of the slots in Fig.1l may be straight, or slightly curved as shown, the cur Yature beingpreferably eccentric outside of a curve which is concentric about. theaxis of the hanger pivot E. ln this construction the load effects of thespring sections differ from that of the construction of Figs. l to 4, inwhich the increasing load is taken up by the springs newly coming intoaction while the load and flexure of those already in action are notmaterially changed. ln the structure of Fig. ll. however, withincreasing loads, the tangential fm'ination of the forwardly extendingportions ot' the slots causes cach spring section already in action toassume in addition a portion of the increasing load and toiiu.1'casingly bend or tiex in proportion to the increase of load putupon it.

The following table while not. purportingr to he exact in the relativevalues of the igures stated. will clearly illustrate the principle ol'the distribution among the several spring sections of increasingloading.

i I Theoretical distribution of increasing y loads amongspring-sections.

Size of loads, say in lbs. i A Y A No. 3. No. 4.

y, In this illustration the springs should be so relatively proportionedin strength-that the first spring to come into action would assume asmaller share of the increased load than any ot' the others and the lastspring in action the greatest share, with proportionate increasesbetween the first and last spring coming into action on each addition tothe load. This. however, is a mere matter ol' ar anging springs ofdiffering substantially parallel and in closer proX- ilnity than withthe arrangements of the slots ot the preceding figures. Instead of merepins a at the ends of the spring sec* tions engaging the slots inthehangers,

vanti-friction rollers c may be used as shown in Fig. 12; and in orderto protect these pins or rollers and the working surfaces of the slotsfrom grit or dust the entire lower ends of the hangers and of the endsof the springs may loe inclosed in dust-proof oilretaining casings in amanner now socomino-n and well understood as to need no extendeddescription.

ln the particular structure chosen to illustrate the invention, fourspring sections are employed. but it is not intended to continc theinvention to this or to any greater or lesser number oi sections, andwhile the description sets out particular functions for certain of theindividual sections. it should he understood that two or more sectionsmay he adapted to operate eithcrsimultaneously or successively in thesame manner. For instance, the section C is described as carrying thenormal load of the chassis, etc.. while sections C2 and C3 lare neutraland section C4 is acting depressively on the hanger. adding its pressureto the chassis load normally carried h v section C.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim is:

1. A'spring for vehicles composed of a plurality of sections united andconnected at the center on an'axlc support. and supports for thc ends ofthe spring. the sections being connected individually to the supportsand the connections being such. that as the load on the spring isincreased, the sections go into action separately and successively, andthe load .increase is so distributed that those sections which go latestinto action receive the greatest relative prorately and successively, asthe load on the` spring is increased, such load increase beingdistr1buted among the sections 1n act1on 1n greatest proportion to thosesections which go latestinto action, whereby the first secintenseconnection-s which permit varying degrees ot free relatif'e movementbetween the sections 'and hangers so that as the loa-d on the spring 1svaried, said sections go into or out of action separately andsuccessively, so that load increase is distributed among said 'sectionsin greatest relative proportions to.

those sections going latest inte action.

4. ln combination with a vehicle trame and axle, a spring arrangedbetween the same and composed ci a plurality of sections united at thecenter and connected 'to the axle, means comprising han Ar's connect--ing the frame and the ends o the spring sections, part of the sectionshaving pin and slot ,connections with the hangers, the

slots being of varying lengths which permit varying degrees of treerelative movement between the sections and the hangers.

5. In combination with a vehicle frame and axle, a spring arrangedbetween the same and composed of a plurality oit sections united andconnected at the center to the axle, and a hanger pivotally connected to'the frame and having pin and slot connections with the diferent springsectionssaid connections permitting the sections to go in cr out ofaction separately and successively as the load on the spring 1s varied.

(3. The combination with a vehicle frame and axle, a spring arrangedbetween the axle, a hanger connected to the frame and connected to thedifferent sections of the springs, the connections between the sectionsand the hanger including slots in the hanger, and pins on the sectionsloosely engaging in said slots, one of the slots extending laterally andsubstantially horizontally and the remaining slots having uprightportions ot' different lengths.

8. ln combination with a vehicle trame and an axle, a spring composed ota plurality oi sections united together and connected at their centersto the axle, a pendent hanger pivotally connected to the frame andprovided with a plurality olf upright' apertures of progressivelyincreasing lengths, with pins on the ends -of the spring sectionsengaging said apertures, whereby an increasing load depression o thehanger will bring said pins successively into load bearing contact withthe upper ends of their respective apertures.

9. ln combination with a vehicle frame and an axle, a spring composed ofa plurality of sections united together and connected at their centersto the axle, a pendent hanger pivotally connected to th'e frame andprovided with a plurality otupright apertures `ol" progressivelyincreasing lengths, with pins on the ends oi' the spring sectionsengaging the lower ends of. said apertures when under normal load ot thevehicle tra-ine, one `or more of said springs being adapted to carrysaid normal load while l others are neutral until brought into actionsuccessively by further load depression ot' the hanger.

l0. in combination with a vehicle frame and an axle, a spring composedof a plurality of sections united together and connected at theircenters to the axle, a pendent. hanger pivotally connected to the frameand provided with a plurality ot upright apertures of yprogressivelyincreasing lengths, with pins on the ends of the spring sectionsengaging the lower ends of said apertures when under normal load of thevehicle frame, one or more of said springs being adapted to carrysaidpnormal load while others are neutral until brought into actionsuccessivelyby further load depression 'of the hanger, while others mayexert a downward pressure on the hanger until it is depressed below itsnormal position, whereby said down-pressing springs may act to check toosudden upward rebound of the hanger.

ll. ln combination with a vehicle frame and an axle, a spring composedof a plurality ot independent sections. which are connected together andto the axle at their` centers, a pendent hanger pivotallyconnected tothe frame and provided with a lurality of apertures or slots whichrhangein form successively from extremes of lateral, slightly inclined upwardto upright slightly inclined in toward the center of the springs, theintermediates having lateral portions l lengths, and upright portions ofgradually increasing lengths, pins carried by the spring sections andengaging said apertures, t e pins when 1n said upright portions ot' theapertures holding the hanger from swinging on its pivot beyond fixedlimits, and when in said lateral portionsreleasing ioo otprogressivelydiminishingsuccessively the swing of the hanger, and while receivingsuccessive additions of load not being materially further depressed andstraightened by reason of the u ward inclination of the lateral portionso the slots.

12. In combination with a vehicle frame and an aigle, a spring composedof a plurality of independent sections which are connected together andto the axle at their centers, a pendent hanger pivotally con nectcd tothe frame and provided with a plurality of apertures or slots whichchange in form successively from extremes of lateral and slightlyinclinedI upward to upright and slightly inclined inward toward thecenters of the spring, the intermediates having lateral portions ofprogressively diminishing lengths and upright portions of progressivelyincreasing lengths, pins carried on the ends of said spring sections andunder normal load of the frame lying in the outer or lower ends of saidapertures, whereby those pins lying in the upright portions of saidapertures prevent the hanger from swinging on its pivot until it isdepressed suiciently to lower the lateral portions of the aperturessuccessively "to the planes of their respective pins when continued loaddepression of the hanger will cause the spring sections to besuccessively depressed, straightened and. lengthened and their pins tothrust against the outer walls oi the upright portions of the aperturesand cause the hanger to swing outwardly step by step, whereby the springsections l In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiiixv my signature in thepresence of two witnesses.

PHELPS M. FREER. IVitnesses:

E. MAY, JOHN C. WHITE.

